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CI2EXRIGHT DEPOSIC 



Flo w'R - OF - the - Mist 

AN EPIC 

by 

CARL BRONSON 




"There should always be some 
foundation of fact for the most airy 
fabric, and pure invention is but the 
talent of a liar." — Byron, 1817. 



"Even now, after eighteen centu- 
ries of Christianity, we may be in- 
volved in some error, of which the 
Christianity of the future will make 
us ashamed." — Vinet. 



"Christianity should be regarded as 
the greatest effort attempted by the 
invisible world to communicate osten- 
sibly with our humanity." — Leon 
Denis. Translation by Ella Wheeler- 
Wilcox, 1918. 



"For there is nothing hid, that 
shall not be manifested; neither was 
anything kept secret, but that it 
should come abroad." — St. Mark, 
Ch. 4, Vr. 22. 



mamv-aU^i-Mm 



AN EPIC 

BY 

CARL BRONSON 

(George Cathcart Bronson) 



Written in the Year 1909 and 
Published in 1920 




Published by the 

"WINGS" PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION 

1439 Geaeaee Street, Hollywood, California 



*'-^ 



^oCi-" 



COPYRIGHT 1920; CARL BRONSON 



PRINTED BY 
McBRIDE PRINTING CO. 



M 10 192! 
0)CU605339 






PREFACE 

WRITTEN BY 
DANTE 



August 26th, 1919. 

The "Mist-Flow' r" is the symbol 
of Truth. It has always been. And 
it is the flower which bursts forth into 
bloom when the Soul is awakened to 
Truth, because it resembles the best 
that is in us: THE RESULT OF 
OUR SUFFERING. 

It is the blossom of Faith and the 
stem of Trust. And the leaves of Suf- 



fering spring from the soil of Pain, 
which is the source of Beauty and 
Life. It is all that is sweetest in fra- 
grance and in coloring. 

It is the sweetest flower that grows. 
It has blue petals and a soft green 
foliage and a fragrance that is Heav- 
enly. It is the source of many in- 
spirations. 

It is the flower of God and it is 
given to man to lift his thots above 
the transient things. It is also a great 
inspiration to all who see it, tho but 
few are given the joy. 

Being of God, it has His light 
springing from it. It is seen only in 
this (unseen) realm, where it is seen 
to bloom in the morning while stars 
are yet in the heavens, and it has a 
great light surrounding it, of blue 
etheric clouds. 

It appears very fragile, but it has 
the strength of God within it. 

It cannot be destroyed by man, tho 
it is only the symbol of Truth. 

It is always seen when the Master 
is near. It is His symbol. 

6 



PROLOGUE 

Pursuant of the beautiful one day, 
I chose from busy marts afar to stray ; 
Where, yielding to the meditative 

mood 
Of moving waters and of shadowed 

wood. 
Amidst wide screens of leafless trees 

I wound, 
Immersed in contemplative silence 

round. 
The year was at the tide when spring, 

is due 
And winter dallies ere soft zephyrs 

woo 
The urgent buds into effusive bloom 
And spirit yearns to wing from out 

the gloom. 

Where forest halls were carpeted with 

leaves 
Whose brilliant colors lay in wintry 

sheaves, 
There I essayed to conjure round, the 

ghosts 

7 



Of inspiration's muse evoking hosts : 
But sensing nought to aid poesy's 

trend, 
Where fancy led, resumed my onward 

wend. 
In dells where last year's fragrance 

yet distilled, 
And riant, crystal springlets rippling 

rilled, 
I fancied I might snare in subtle 

phrase, 
(From flocking memories of other 

days) 
The thots my zealous heart urged 

with excess. 
In measured words of meaning to ex- 
press. 
So, from a sapling strong I bent a 

bow, 
That swift as light my purposed shaft 

might throw ; 
Then set my arrow, as I stalked my 

game. 
Meanwhile rehearsing my unfailing 

aim. 
Erewhiles I paused to listen to the 

breeze 
As fitfully it quavered thru the trees. 



I strove to link to melody divine, 
Sound's fleeting fragments — but they 

would not twine. 
Thot still remiss, disconsolate I fled, 
My vision groping o'er the way 

ahead. 
Soon thot chased thot awing in grace- 
ful flight, 
Till one, less timid, seemed about to 

light 
Within the easy range of my deft 

bow. 
Which tensed with zeal to bring it 

quickly low. 
Ill aimed, my shaft but grazed the 

fleeting thing. 
And freed a single feather from its 

wing. 
Which, seeking out, revived Truth's 

urge again, 
As from the quill I fashioned me a 

pen. 

Armed with my pen, I roamed the 

deep'ning shade 
Of mossy dingle and of everglade. 
The mists hung low upon the forest 

spires 



Like vapors rising over altar fires, 

And shadows deepened into arches 
wide, 

Above the branchy spaces. 
Either side 

The underwood did fade to tapestry, 

Maze-woven into mystic fantasy. 

In this rude temple all was hushed as 
death, 

And not a twig was stirred with 
zephyr's breath. 

Mute were the feathered choristers. 
No sound 

Disrobed the silence of its peace pro- 
found. 

Here, laying all my bookish learning 

by, 

Until my view seemed broadened and 

the sky, 
Tho clouded, spread above me like a 

force 
That radiated from celestial source, 
I strove with open-mindedness to gain 
That which the skill of art invoked in 

vain. 

Seated beneath a tree the frosts had 
shorn 

10 



(Which seemed an aged sentinel for- 
lorn) 

I listened to my heart's swift pulsing 
chime, 

That seemed to murmur of an olden 
time, 

As if a master pressed his magic bow 

And drawing forth emotion's over- 
flow. 

Had lifted me upon a tuneful dream 

Above earth's waning , unfulfilling 
beam. 

To where-within, the music of the 
spheres 

Seemed to out-billow on my inward 
ears, 

And surging to exalted heights, com- 
bined 

In one emotived choir, transcending 
mind. 

Love was its impulse and its fluent 
course, 

The reuniting streams of living force 

That long had held apart from all its 
own. 

Our nighted planet in its orbit lone. 

While thus I mused the rain did add 
its gush 

11 



Of tapping rhythmics on the music's 
rush, 

And on the pulseless boughs like lan- 
terns swung, 

Bright, prismic crystals as in garlands 

strung. 
Thrilled by the vision and the sweet 

refrain, 
A sense awoke. It was not joy nor 

pain. 
But jarred awide my being's very 

core. 
Discovering my Soul with all its 

store, 
As 'twere a momentary, total view. 
Wherein All-knowing consciously 

flamed thru. 
Then, vision heightened with a wider 

reach. 
As if the veil had lifted o'er death's 

breach ; 
When swift as 'twere released from 

out a rift 
Within the clouds that overhead did 

drift, 
A sunny beam the riven mists flashed 

thru, 

12 



And lit a drop of rain that hung like 

dew 
Upon a slender bough before my 

gaze, 
Enlightening my being with its blaze. 

The rain drop glittered o'er the misty 

pall, 
A beaming lamp that showered glow 

o'er all. 
Until, within its limpid hemisphere 
I caught my vision in reflection clear. 
And dipping my deft pen into its 

light. 
With Soul aflame, I thus began to 

write. 



13 



Presenting the elementally beau- 
tiful aspects of Earth's transition 
from its creation down to the present 
phase of THE GREAT CHANGE. 
During all of this elemental trans- 
sition, Truth is potentially present, 
but unrecognized by mortal mind 
which rises to its highest tide of phys- 
ical force: MATERIAL INTEL- 
LECT. 

POSEIDON personifies power in its 
complaisant formality. His domin- 
ions are the turbulent tides of hu- 
man thot, dominated by preju- 
dices, 
SOL personifies the false light of big- 
otry and presumption. His beams 
are the intellectual rays of doubt 
and death. 
FLOW'R-OF-THE-MIST personi- 
fies Truth in its Spiritual aspect. 
Elusively appearing and disap- 
pearing, yet ever at-one with God 
in Faith and Immortality. 
IDEALITY personifies that which 
leads the Soul to its awakening and 
its freest expression in Truth. 

15 



FLOW'R-OF-THE-MIST 

Part One 



Now lend your contemplation for a 

while, 
That thot may lift your spirit from 

the guile 
Of things empirical, to lofty heights 
Where transcendental verity delights. 

Thus, picture to your view the scenes 
I trace, 

As if sublimal sight beheld their 
place; 

For, things are thots, not the reverse, 
we know; 

Enlightenment's rich wisdom teaches 
so. 

This I beheld, at least I'll state it 
thus. 

Words are but masks for things in- 
credulous ; 

16 



God blew a bubble into starry space 

And named it Earth ; then orbed it in 
its place, 

And, summoning His angels round 
His throne. 

The advent of another world made 
known. 

Said He: "Go solve my riddle and 
return 

And give account to me of what ye 
learn : 

Go, take the fairest form that thou 
canst find. 

And make thy dwelling in it — heart 
and mind. 

Ere soon I'll burst my bubble and for- 
sooth, 

Call ye to answer in the name of 
Truth. 

Unto thy task depart — My works re- 
veal; 

From mystery the Book of Life un- 
seal." 

Then God withdrew and left man to 
evolve, 

The riddle of experience to solve. 

On God's new globe vast oceans 
spread their realm 

17 



Whose giant deeps the terrain hollows 

whelm 
With frothing waves that caper to 

the shore, 
At play with winds that urge them on 

before. 
King over all this madly surging 

host 
Was Poseidon, whose realm, from 

coast to coast. 
Included atmosphere and mount and 

plain, 
And lake and river in despotic reign. 
Beneath the waves, where sunlight 

never falls. 
His coral spires and prismy-tinted 

walls. 
Uplifted battlements amidst the 

brine. 
Resplendent in the phosphorescent 

shine. 
There, from his throne this monarch 

ruled the sea 
With harsh, inflexible authority; 
His brandished trident roused or 

meekly stilled 
The pliant waters, as his temper 

willed. 

18 



Flow'r-of-the-Mist was gruff Posei- 
don's queen, 

Of graces manifold and lovely mien; 

Of water and of Spirit haply born, 

Chaste symbol meant to bless and to 
adorn. 

Her fleecy scarf it was that limned 
the clefts 

Of serrate mountains with its snowy 
wefts ; 

Or, sweeping deftly o'er valleys 
green, 

Enveiled the wand' ring rivers in her 
screen ; 

Or, mounting on the breeze above 
the night. 

She soared to catch the dawn's suf- 
fusing light 

Within the sparkling jewels of her 
crest. 

And vanish ere the sun's fierce glance 
addrest. 

Of nights when calm enchained the 
wafting waves. 

This king oft sent his queen, con- 
voyed by slaves. 

To gather crystals from the terrain's 
shores, 

19 



To lustre o'er his throne and palace 
floors : 

For, old Poseidon was a crafty lord 

Who sought contentment in his gold- 
en hoard ; 

His appetency being pow'r supreme, 

Ambition purposed each aspiring 
dream. 

Since ev'ry underplot requires a 
mask, 

Flow'r-of-the-Mist he used in such a 
task. 

Her influence he prized tho wary he, 

And much inclined to narrow jeal- 
ousy. 

Self-satisfied he was, austere and 
smug, 

Constraining sentiment with doubtful 
• shrug. 

So doth mere hate resemble much the 
true. 

And tolerance seem love unto the 
view. 

'Tis wrong design perverts sweet vir- 
tue's course 

And arrogates to ill the highest force. 

Thus keen Poseidon used the Mist- 
flow' r's veil 

20 



To hide the reef before the homing 

sail; 
Confusing e're the steersman's guiding 

view, 
With doubtful leadings from the 

compass true. 



On this eventful night mild zephyrs 

bore 
The gentle queen enlambent waters 

o'er, 
And Cynthia, with opalescent glow. 
Gazed from her height upon the scene 

below ; 
Where, like a showy pageant all 

alight. 
Moved o'er the bounding tide a daz- 
zling sight. 
Such as 'twere vain for poet's paltry 

skill 
Unto the mind to picture and fulfill. 
Mermaiden beauties robed in pearly 

spume 
Graced creamy steeds gay with the 

royal plume. 
And mermen, in rich armament be- 

dight, 

21 



Outridden dolphins guided thru the 

night. 
Within an iridescent cloud of spray 
In pallid azure veiled, the Mist-flow'r 

lay, 
While her rare being, like a dawning 

bloom. 
Exhaled the fragrance of her soul's 

perfume. 

Delightful one! Embodiment of 
love! 

Benignant mind, the commonplace 
above ! 

Oh, couldst thy self-sufficient liege 
have guessed 

The priceless bliss enchaliced in thy 
breast. 

Thou not so often wouldst have fared 
alone, 

Thy latent charms, alas, to him un- 
known. 

Why art thou so elusive, unexpressed *? 

Ecstatic source ! Nepentha sweet and 
blest! 

Thou manifesteth vaguely as a bloom 

Whose being is recalled in faint per- 
fume; 

22 



Yet, he who seeks thee shall not seek 

in vain; 
Who heeds the perfume views the 

rose again. 



Truth seems ofttimes to serve but evil 
ends, 

And some unworthy cause anon de- 
fends ; 

Thus did the Mist-flow' r servilely 
abide, 

Submissively at old Poseidon's side. 

Meanwhile, to usage patiently re- 
signed. 

Her soul elusively was wont to find,- 

In rapt communion with an unseen 
guest, 

A presence constant that lulled fears 
to rest; 

Which, when her famished heart 
yearned tender balm, 

Consoled and stilled her with a 
heav'nly calm. 

'Tis being loved and loving beauti- 
fies, 

Else something radiant within us 
dies ; 

23 



A something that awakened grows 

and glows, 
Rejoicing free expression to disclose; 
Such love as makes each generous and 

kind, 
Inspiring unto nobler heights of mind. 
All ye who nearest unto God would 

live 
Must of His Love most radiantly 

give. 

This night, refreshed by heav'nly 

aethers rare, 
The cheery Mist-flow' r banished 

gloomy care. 
As in and out of tide eroded caves 
She sought for sparkling gems beneath 

the waves, 
Gleaning the precious lore of shiny 

sands 
With zealous glance and facile, dim- 
pled hands. 
Thus drifting strange and fary shores 

along, 
She whiled her toil with fragments 

of sweet song, 
Till wearied with the labors of the 

quest, 

24 



She paused amidst the rocking waves 

to rest; 
Lulled into dreams upon the buoyant 

tide, 
Her slaves disporting distant from 

her side. 
About her wafted breezy perfumes 

rare, 
From spicy groves of distant islands 

fair; 
And music soft, melliloquently 

twined. 
Intangibly above her, undefined; 
Like to the fall of syllable and word 
Of waters murmuring, when dimly 

heard. 
Like snowy doves the graceful gulls 

did glide. 
Reflecting shadows in the glassy tide; 
And intermittently the petrels 

shrieked 
As darkly over breaking crest they 

streaked. 

As longings surged in her unquiet 

breast. 
Forebodings dire her feeling heart 

opprest ; 

25 



More ominous than silence that doth 

creep 
Upon the waters ere the storm doth 

sweep. 
O blessed solitude I What joy to 

dream 
When dreaming wings our thots to 

heights supreme! 
How oft her unseen wooer touched 

her lips 
As gently as the breeze the billow 

tips; 
Or sighed upon her cheek. Or stroked 

her hair, 
An aureola bright enweaving there; 
And summoning the hosts of Heav'n 

to aid — 
So do some love us who have crossed 

death's shade. 
O Love that Truth alone hath yet 

defined I 
O tenderness unknown to mortal 

mind! 
Solicitude born of angelic care 
Hath anthem glorified thy blessings 

rare, 
Or poet's frenzy ever half implied 

26 



His joy whose Spirit-love walks at his 
side? 

Imagination can but vaguely sense 

How blest such union is with recom- 
pense ; 

O ye who will not rend death's veil 
apart, 

How can ye ever understand the 
heart? 

As fancy shapes fair images of thot 
About somxC tender theme by yearn- 
ings wrought, 
Her Comforter did linger at her heart. 
'Twas Ideality, and set apart 
Her abstract self from unillumined 

love, 
Lifting desire the temporal above : 
Soul is awakened thru the higher call 
Of deep emotion and its quick'ning 

thrall. 
Complacent minds, beware, lest when 

ye chide 
Ye fashion virtue as a pulseless 

bride. 
Beware, lest what ye coldly put away 
Doth leave ye only unresponsive clay. 
When Ideality doth woo, the goal 

27 



Can be no less than consciousness of 

Soul : 
Intense emotion is the carver's knife 
Which frees the Soul from limitings 

to Life. 
Tho secretly conceived, yearnings are 

heard, 
And oft more potent are than uttered 

word. 
'Tis thus desires we shape in full or 

part. 
Infallibly out-seek some kindred 

heart. 
And borne upon the babbling tongues 

of winds. 
Stir into action mean, conspiring 

minds. 
All seeming void is so attuned that 

ears 
Are in the air and ev'ry planet hears. 
'Twas thus the mishap I will now re- 
late. 
Occurred as seemed the Mist-flow' r's 

hast'ning fate. 

Upon a quest of brigandage and prey 
A troop of knights chanced by her 
very way, 

28 



And midst the waves, immured in 
peaceful rest, 

Bespied the ocean queen's be jeweled 
crest 

And slyly creeping close unto her side 

O'erviewed her unveiled beauty, won- 
der eyed. 

The whiles she was unconscious of all 
harm. 

The riant breeze displayed her per- 
son's charm; 

Disporting with her sheer and filmy 
drape, 

Bespraying spangles o'er the flaunt- 
ing crepe 

That sparkled in the moon's enlam- 
bent shine, 

Like dewy jewels on a trembling vine. 

Like alabaster laid in lucent green 
Her perfect body glow'd the waves 

between. 
And all about her, while she lay at 

rest, 
The wanton ripples their emotion 

prest. 
Her wealth of hair, of that rare, 

matchless shade. 
No artistry has ever semblance made, 

29 



A sunny halo round her head did 

twine ; 
(A symbol of enlightenment divine) 
Which streamed, a mass of flowing, 

silken mesh; 
Caught by the breeze above her glow- 
ing flesh. 
Neath arching brows engraved with 

subtle skill. 
Such eyes reposed as seeing saw no 

ill; 
Two dreamy deeps she saw not with, 

but thru, 
And, seeing thus, met all with tender 

view. 
Compassionate, yet calm with sweet 

desire, 
Her soul unsolved, mysterious with 

fire. 
From inner depths of her so moving 

gazed 
That some who looked within with 

love were crazed. 
Soul hunger is a yearning to unfold 
Which only Truth can quicken from 

the mold. 

H: * * * sK * 

30 



We left the Mist-flow'r in a briny 
bed, 

While brigands bartered for her prec- 
ious head ; . 

We left her, like a benediction blest. 

Abeam upon the swaying ocean's 
breast. 

So falls a pearl before low bred de- 
sire, 

Which cannot think above its own 
require. 

The ruler of these prowling thieves 
was Sol, 

Who, of the stellar host, outshone 
them all; 

A lewd, presumptions, carnal-mindeji 
king, 

Much like to those of mortal humor- 
ing. 

His domain wide embraced the starry 
skies 

And cast the false-light into seeking 
eyes: 

His was the fiery, elemental force, 

Which marks the seasons in their 
yearly course. 

As nought could add to Sol's luxuri- 
ous might; 

31 



His henchmen catered to his appetite, 

Sating his cravings, more or less com- 
plex. 

With delectations of the gentler sex. 

The rarest oft must pay the common 
price, 

The humbler make the greater sacri- 
fice : 

Since man is inconsistency supreme, 

Can one expect more of a mere sun- 
beam? 

These robber knights reflected but the 
crave 

Of their vile king, and tho he were a 
knave. 

It mattered not, their crafty swords 
were drawn 

In prejudice, tho virtue was the pawn. 

So thoughtless minds subserve the 
stronger will, 

And are misled to deeds of fiendish 
ill. 

When will brave hearts discriminate- 
ly fight. 

Their arms defending only what is 
right? 

At wrong's command must subjects 
e'er obey 

32 



And friend meet friend in murderous 

array '? 
That flag alone is potent in whose 

folds 
Is writ those virtues which its might 

upholds. 
Now Sol's brash thieves, minded for 

any deed, 
Having no conscience but their mon- 
arch's greed. 
Aroused the queen from dreamy 

flights of love, 
And drew her gaze toward their king 

above ; 
Who, since awake, was glancing o'er 

the steep 
Above the headland in his daily sweep 
And with his pallet, opulent with 

light, 
Was laying tinsel o'er retiring night. 

With promises of rare, undreamed de- 
light. 

The pirates urged, and then, to charm 
her sight. 

And shew the queen their god's ex- 
haustless store, 

33 



They scattered golden beams o'er sea 
and shore. 

With charmed affright she viewed the 

gleaming tide 
That, now a curdling sheet of flame 

awide, 
Dazzled her gaze with such a wealth 

untold, 
Thot could not compass nor could 

kingdom hold ; 
Yet she, who held within the greater 

prize, 
Could not be lured amiss in such a 

wise. 

When ev'ry wile unto presumption 

known 
Had failed of its design, one course 

alone 
Remaining then, by force they seized 

their prize 
And bore her captive to the distant 

skies. 
The sun-god hailed his cohorts with 

amaze. 
As they their captive led before his 

gaze. 

34 



Tho rarest beauties followed in his 
train, 

None could compare with her born of 
the main. 

Rapaciously Sol's lustful appetite 

Did raven o'er this most delectful 
sight. 

As from his throne his eye beamed on 
his guest, 

Alluring gems were brought at his 
behest 

And placed before her wond'ring eyes, 
that she 

Might soon forget her wifely con- 
stancy. 

Most gorgeous robes were wrought of" 
rainbows rare, 

As tribute to her grace, would she but 
wear; 

But her sweet soiil did spurn pre- 
sumption's zest, 

And loathing pent her now distracted 
breast. 

As shallow swains put forth their best 

at first, 
Vain Sol appeared a scintillating 

burst. 

35 



A chariot was brought, by such steeds 
drawn 

As could out-speed the swift, unbrid- 
led dawn. 

And Sol himself vouchsafed their 
nuptial course, 

Which led beyond day's far, remotest 
source. 

The while they journeyed thru 

heav'n's starry space. 
The sun-god marked the Mist-flow' r's 

ev'ry grace, 
And with insinuating glance he strove 
The maid's refined and tender heart 

to move. 



Suggestion is deception's subtle snare, 
With which it lures the heedless to its 

lair; 
But she, defended by her soul's Ideal, 
Disdained the proffers of his false 

appeal. 

Meanwhile, the queen's attendants, 

dumb with fright. 
Could scarce appreciate her awful 

plight: 

36 



Like most defenders of the Truth 
to-day, 

Fain when hard pressed to flee the 
other way. 

Now that the foe had vanished from 
their path, 

These slaves were frothy with impo- 
tent wrath; 

And tardily, as laggards have before, 

Turned homeward with chastisement 
dread in store. 

They found the sea-god whiling leis- 
ure hours 

Amidst the waters sleeping round his 
tow'rs. 

And fearfully they knelt before his 
throne 

In breathless haste to make their story 
known. 

Scarce did Poseidon hear ere he began 
A dire revenge upon his foe to plan; 
For selhsh love and hate are so akin, 
That each the other's being sleeps 
within. 

Alas I how frail the vows that bind as 

one 
Two beings for this little earthly ran; 

37 



Of course it was her fault, else could 

this foe 
Thus rob him of the mate he treasured 

so? 
Once jealousy is born it multiplies 
Till trust and ev'ry other virtue dies: 
All wars and strifes that stain life's 

golden page 
Are born of jealousy and nursed in 

rage. 

Enraged, Poseidon lashed the sea to 
foam, 

Bemoaning in his wrath his outraged 
home; 

And summoning his tempests, bade 
them speed 

Upon the track of him whose mon- 
strous greed 

Had robbed him of a queen whose 
mystic dow'r 

Had seem'd the sure accession of his 
pow'r. 

Then waged an awful combat round 

about. 
From arming legions rose the battle 

shout. 



The rumbling tread of armies shook 
the skies, 

As Sol unto the challenge swift re- 
plies. 

Mad waves reached high. The scorch- 
ing sun beat down 

As each did strive to wrest the other's 
crown — 

In massing billows marched the sea- 
god's hosts, 

While Sol repulsed them over rocky- 
coasts. 

The tides reeled back with angered, 
spiteful blows, 

As from the skies the fiery tempest 
glows 

With burning onrush to assail the 
foe. 

That struggles 'neath the lightning's 
lance below. 

And noxious vapors darted, deadly 
fumed. 

And wheresoe'er they touched all was 
consumed. 

Hate shows scant mercy, but this war 
knew none; 

Not in all memory were such deeds 
done. 

39 



Destruction and despoil and fright- 
fulness, 

Were glorified together with excess. 

Presumption rude and formal bigotry, 

Full powered loosed its vile duplicity, 

And with its rile and evil-rotted reign, 

Construed God's very Truth to be 
inane : 

The blasphemies that pedantry de- 
signed 

Eclipsed the savagery of heathen 
mind. 

Proving mere reason's aim, when sel- 
fishness. 

Is soulless intellect and conscience- 
less: 

Each hath its own especial god, its 
need. 

Before whose throne it humbly prays 
in greed. 



Old Sol was conquering his acrid foe, 
And beating down his breaking hosts 

below. 
When, rash with eager, over-weaning 

pride, 
He quit the siege for her alluring side, 

40 



Who languishing, from sunny heights 
o'er gazed 

The dreadful scenes below with senses 
dazed. 

Alarmed, now apprehending Sol's in- 
tent. 

The Mist-flow' r's faith renewing cour- 
age lent, 

As suddenly avoiding his embrace, 

She fled afar with such unwonted 
grace, 

Her beauty whet the glutton for a 
feast. 

The more he contemplated, more in- 
creased 

His avid yearning to possess the prize, 

That deep within her wondrous being 
lies: 

That mystic something all are yearn- 
ing for. 

Which nought can substitute: That 
inmost core 

Wherein abides perfection's fadeless 
beam. 

Whose ultimate is God and bliss 
supreme. 

Evasive tho she sped, yet swifter still 

41 



The sun-god's eager arms outreached 

until 
Remotest avenues of space grew 

bright, 
Revealing the poor queen's distracted 

flight. 
Tho friendly winds lent her their 

swiftest steed, 
Sol caught her with his lighter footed 

speed. 
And as an eagle swoops upon its prey, 
Her fainting body in his talons lay. 

What will she do? How will she e'er 

defend 
Love's sweet reserve that mere desire 

would rend? 
How helpless seems the beautiful! 

Too frail 
To cope with bestial wills that would 

prevail. 
O rare, exquisite tenderness I O Flow'r 
Of Spirit ! Hast thou nought of magic 

pow'r 
May overcome smug and presumptive 

lust 
That would procure thee tho it gained 

but dust? 

42 



Inflamed with passion now beyond re- 
lief, 
Sol seized his prize, regardless of her 

grief; 
His noxious breath fumed o'er her 

like a pest, 
His lustful kisses now she scarce re- 
pressed ; 
Her sweet elusiveness availed her 

nought 
'Gainst uncontrolled desire, lewd and 

distraught. 
In vain she pled for mercy with soft 

tears — 
Entreaties tender fell on heedless 

ears ; 
The wicked god, drunk with o'er- 

wrought excess. 
Forced on the swooning queen his 

foul caress. 
Until his up-pent amour by its heat, 
His maddened impulse did itself 

defeat : 
For there are laws which cannot be 

transgressed ; 
Which, over-stept, doth froward aim 

arrest; 

43 



When that procured by stealth some- 
how eludes 

The selfish force that on its faith 
intrudes. 

The very rancor of SoPs pent desire, 

Consumed the Mist-flow' r with its 
breath of fire. 

Alas, these habitations built of spray, 

How temporal, how unenduring they I 

'Twas natural Sol's flame, so fiercely 
pent. 

Would disenthral her soul of his in- 
tent; 

As Truth is proof against all evil 
might. 

So her freed Spirit winged its upward 
flight; 

Leaving but mute remains in Sol's 
embrace, 

A thing insensate, tho of wondrous 
grace. 

Which, slipping lightly evil's clutches 
thru. 

Returned to parching earth refreshing 
dew. 

No balmy April shower could com- 
pare 

44 



With her blest vapors borne upon the 

air. 
The harp-strung and vociferating 

trees 
Flung joyous anthems on the frag- 
rant breeze, 
And wak'ning buds responded to the 

thrill 
Of omnipresent, All-creative Will. 
As if it were her parting breath, sweet 

Spring 
Breathed life into the heart of ev'ry- 

thing; 
Love permeated each aspiring gleam 
Of life, of thot, of vision and of 

dream ; 
Became the subtle, atmospheric part 
Of inspiration and the soul of art. 

So seems the Truth apparently de- 
stroyed 

But to revive again all unalloyed; 

Tho scorned and crucified 'twill re- 
appear. 

Till selfish aims resolve and faiths 
cohere ; 

Until that stone rejected by each 
creed 

45 



O'ercrowns Life's arch and ev'ry Soul 
is freed. 

Vain world, ye may revile and per- 
secute, 

And place above the True your sub- 
stitute. 

But that which Is can all your wiles 
defy, 

And rise to mock ye tho it seem to 
die. 



Above the fields where slaughter had 
been wrought, 

From out the pandemonium of thot, 

Toward supernal regions of the True, 

Unharmed the Mist-flow' r's spirit up- 
ward flew 

Into his arms whose spirit long had 
wooed ; 

Who. near at hand had ever waiting 
stood, 

Claiming eternally his loyal bride 

Whose now discamate being graced 
his side; 

She who, like he, had braved Life's 
winding path. 

Initiate in sufferance and wrath. 

46 



Each stood in contemplative joy 

amazed, 
As deeply, Soul in Soul, they fondly 

gazed; 
Aquiver with high consciousness, and 

both 
At-one in Love and Spirit, God's own 

troth. 
Sweet tears of ecstasy gushed from 

their eyes. 
As each the other's Soul did recog- 
nize; 
Long parted in Life's deft, evolving 

strands. 
Save for brief moments and the touch 

of hands. 
Now were they one, with all delusion 

passed. 
And Ideality proved real at last. 
The masked and false impressions of 

the flesh 
Revealed a mystic web's untangling 

mesh; 
A skein of keen experience, the veil 
Which lifted doth reveal the Holy 

Grail. 

Their way along was thru a Hcav'n- 
ly field 

47 



Where shady deeps gave of their 
warbling yield 

From clustering birds of every hue, 

That, plumed like blooms, sang rad- 
iant with dew; 

And all were trustful, for they knew 
not fright, 

So loving were the airs and none to 
smite. 

Beneath an elm beside wide Lethe's 
stream. 

The lovers tarried, dizzied with their 
dream. 

Whilst he explained that he had wait- 
ed long 

Her hither coming from earth's learn- 
ing throng. 

And, as they gazed aback toward the 
earth. 

They saw that circling round its misty 
girth 

Were many souls which had not Love 
attained. 

And thus by hate's attraction still 
were chained; 

For none may cross this stream be- 
yond, who still 

Have it in heart to do another ill. 

48 



Within the vortex of perplexing flight 
Were earth-bound souls lost in mind's 

doubtful night; 
And comforters, blest Angels, vainly 

sought 
The sorrows of their loved to ease in 

thot. 
Sought to untangle from confusion's 

web 
The minds of those swept in hate's 

baleful ebb; 
Sought to divert all from the wilful 

crave 
That hath no vision farther than the 

grave. 

No mortal walks the earth so reft and 

lone 
But hath some Soul to love him all 

his own. 
Love will not let one perish tho one 

fall. 
For Love is all of us, the AU-in-All : 
And constantly between the here and 

there 
Are Angels who provide our ev'ry 

care ; 

49 



Our Spirit-guides. Tho in re-birth we 

seem 
To part, we are at-one each night in 

dream. 
We only need to banish doubt to 

know 
The providence of Love's full over- 
flow; 
We only need to Love for Love's own 

sake, 
To weld that link which time nor 

death can break ; 
We only have as much beyond as we 
Have builded here in Spirit, lovingly. 
Whom God hath joined at-one no 

man may part — - 
'Tis He who mates true lovers ere 

they start 
Upon Life's cycles of experience. 
Tho oft dissevered in the maze of 

chance, 
It is not kinship doth our love attest. 
Nor whom we self appoint to love the 

best, 
We may but guess who hides behind 

the mask: 
To love our own is not a trying task; 

50 



Unprejudiced, we must fulfill our 
days 

Faithful and true and question not 
God's ways; 

When we the depth of Truth can un- 
derstand 

All masks shall fall and mates walk 
hand in hand. 



Now earth deleted from the lovers 
gaze, 

And where false gods once ruled is 
melting haze, 

Translucent space and glowing atmos- 
phere, 

With starry kingdoms bright, outblaz- 
ing clear. 

Garlands of Love-Unked Souls en- 
circled planes. 

Around about the planetary chains; 

Each Soul with personality defined, 

Attuned, within its special chord en- 
twined; 

Bound to eternity with Spirit strands. 

An endless melody of clasping hands. 

Which, tho Life's gamut each com- 
pletely trace, 

51 



Not one it left without the hymn of 

grace. 
Christ's God is orb of never ending 

day, 
Sol's petty glimmer fading neath His 

ray, 
Impotent as a glowworm's tiny spark; 
Compared with Higher-consciousness, 

Truth's Arc. 
-Light, heat and formal wisdom are 

no more, 
For loving Faith alone commands the 

door 
Of secret understanding. We receive 
Alone as we are ready to believe: 
The pow'r we covet must be Spirit- 
flame 
Which is of God, He of the Soul the 

same. 



Now utter bliss transcending mortal 

thrill. 
As only perfect concord may distill, 
Resolved their destined beings into 

this : 
(As their desirous lips met, kiss on 

kiss,) 

52 



That upward on wafts of supreme de- 

light, 

They breast to breast entwined in 
raptured flight 

O'er realms elysian, faring at will — 

So ev'ry righteous wish God doth ful- 
fill. 

Such is the destiny of ev'ry Soul; 

Each in due time attains perfection's 
goal; 

Thus ev'ry wistful longing, sweet at 
heart, 

Shall be attained in full, not just in 
part. 



53 



PART TWO 

This chapter presents the earth in 
its present phase of transformation, 
when the new Light of the Master 
has finally turned its forces upon ma- 
terial doubt, crystallizing all into 
Spiritual Truth. 

In this new phase all adverse forces 
are overcome and seen and unseen 
walk hand in hand and the earth as 
a material existence is absorbed in 
Spirit flame and the Master in all His 
glory returns to claim His own. 



Adown the west horizon, battle spent, 
Sol's legions flashed their passing 

armament. 
As gloaming vapors wrapt within 

their fold, 
A lustrous afterglow of burnished 

gold. 
O'erhead, the glamour of night's 

starry sheen 

54 



Beamed like a diadem o'er earth's 

serene, 
And creeping darkness, with its dusky 

pall. 
Unfurled her mantle gently over all. 
With nimbus radiant with overflow, 
And paling in the sun's departing 

glow. 
The moon unrolled her scroll upon 

the plain 
Of fringing waters, like a path amain. 

Abating turmoil lulled the earth to 

calm. 
As softened nature lay her slumbrous 

balm 
Upon the hushing murmurs of the 

deep, 
And blending forces harmonized in 

sleep. 

Thus God's deft process of a day 

unborn. 
Dreams in night's chrysalis the birth 

of morn. 

A throbbing note thrills suddenly o'er 
earth, 

55 



As fleet-winged heralds voice a new 

day's birth; 
Each vibrant heart hath caught the 

softened mood, 
Of tender impulse and awak'ning 

good. 
Another dawn, fairer than all before. 
Hath like a rocket flasht earth's 

shadow o'er, 
And all creation, merging as from 

sleep. 
Glows into radiance beneath the 

sweep 
Of morning's mild, resplendent, 

purpling beam, 
Whose warm, increscent light o'er all 

doth stream. 
As Truth's effulgence lifts the mists 

away, 
A rainbow arches o'er the dancing 

spray. 
Whose colors fold in harmony all 

hopes. 
Whose crescent bends above God's 

Heav'nly slopes; 
And from the hazy yester', like a gull. 
Careering o'er the waves with dipping 

hull, 

56 



A phantom ship beats down the veer- 
ing trail 

Of gusty winds that warp the urgent 
sail. 

Oft wavering in doubt a mortal 

stands 
Beside the helm. With vacillating 

hands 
His treasure-laden ship he vainly 

guides 
Against the baffling hindrances of 

tides, 
Towards a vague, uncharted, mystic 

shore. 
Whose beacon fails his vision o'er and 

o'er; 
And e'er, a phantom shoal before him 

looms. 
Where lurking death his wav'ring 

spirit dooms; 
And fear, dread siren of the fateful 

deep. 
Deceptive chants the mind's eternal 

sleep. 
Will law and letter guide him thru 

the veil 
Of error that affrets his random sail*? 

57 



Ah no I A truer Pilot boards his ship, 
A surer hand the rambling helm doth 

grip, 
And fills his sails with Truth's in- 
spiring breeze, 
Which lilts his vessel over tranquil 

seas. 
Hail Him, precursor of the Truth and 

Right, 
Whose shield is Wisdom and whose 

sword is Light; 
That Light which is enlightenment 

and Love, 
Divinely radiating from above. 
It is the Son-of-man who whispers 

o'er, 
The beautiful restores which was of 

yore; 
The death knell of the feudal age He 

sings,^ 
A new relationship of men He brings : 
The great "I am", the ego self, is 

dead. 
And power is the force of Love in- 
stead. 

"Let down your anchor, sailor, here 
and now I" 

58 



(The Pilot's voice resounds above the 

prow) 
"Your anchorage is Truth and it will 

hold; 
Whereon you sail is God's eternal 

fold." 
"Once more I come the Soul of man 

to wrest 
From doubt, the canker in the mortal 

breast. 
Thou sensest, sailor, but thy wayward 

ship, 
And adverse tides that round about 

thee slip. 
These are but symbols on the upward 

way; 
Thou art eternal and thy ship but 

clay; 
The land thou contemplatest dim 

and far 
Is too remote, seek Heaven where you 

are; 
The Kingdom blest of God is where 

you stand — 
'Tis not an unknown, vaguely distant 

land. 
But heed the whisperings within thine 

ear, 

59 



And these shall tell of Angels ever 

near. 
But balance up thy Spirit with thy 

dust — 
With these at-one, thou canst thy 

sight adjust; 
All worlds are one and Spirits at your 

side 
Await to lead you, each a loving 

Guide." 
''Inbreathe into thy being thy new 

force, 
Not fate, but guidance let direct your 

course ; 
God's Angels, sent to minister and 

teach, 
Have dipt the formal barriers round 

each 
And earth is now included in the 

chain 
Of endlessness, and shall in Truth 

remain ; 
For, when God's Light shall infil- 
trate all thru, 
All matter shall be crystalled as the 

dew. 
This is the end which shall in time 

befall 

60 



Your wayward planet thru the higher 

call." 
''As mind is master over matter coarse, 
So Spirit wakes the True perceptive 

source; 
Omnific gift, it hovers where thou art. 
But cast doubt's follies from thy 

yearning heart, 
And in their stead divine influx shall 

grow 
Till Wisdom's flood thy being over- 
flow." 
"Within thy being is the golden store 
Of yesterday, now and for ever more ; 
This fleshly body is a chalice fine, 
Designed to hold the gift of Grace- 

Divine." 
"We are not here to let sensation 

wane, 
But by experience control to gain; 
The more refined the flame, the more 

intense, 
It is the God within doth feel and 

sense." 
"It is the physical is crucified. 
That we may find and place the Soul 

inside. 
Inaction is but death, the unatoned; 

61 



The doubts we hold, the progress 

we've postponed. 
Oh prejudice, what martyrs you have 

made! 
Unto re-birth thou hast sent many a 

shade. 

Thou sealest up the door of seeking 
mind; 

Thou openest man's eyes, yet leave 
him blind." 

"We cannot ride to Heaven on a 
creed. 

But must progress by worthy Love 
and deed. 

Poised o'er extremes, balanced with- 
out a flaw ; 

Complete in Wisdom and set free by 
law; 

Proportioned of all substance coarse 
and fine; 

And of non-substance shading to Di- 
vine; 

The All-in-one, co-ordinate designed. 

With All dimension in his Soul com- 
bined ; 

Man is the rare equation of God's 
thot: 

62 



The great sum total of the All and 
nought." 

"Thru selfless Love advancing, crav- 
ing Light, 

Each mind must be attuned, con- 
formed aright; 

Kneeling as to a sacrament to sip 

Life's understanding with a thirsting 

lip: 

Receiving learning as the dawning 
flow'r. 

With petals open to Almighty pow'r, 

Draws to its cup sweet dews of vital 
force, 

From Love's exhaustless, All-sustain- 
ing source." 

"If beauty dwelleth in thee thou shalt 

view 
Creation with a sacred aspect true, 
Which cannot be debased while yet 

one grain 
Of Truth within thy steadfast heart 

remain." 

"The Beautiful is God's own elo- 
quence 

Which falleth from His lips like 
frankincense. 

63 



He speaks, and all creation's joys in- 
crease ; 

He speaks, and lifts the fainting heart 
to peace; 

And, would ye have your Soul's de- 
sire, in pray'r 

And wistful yearning seek, the way 
is there. 

Truth is the vital leaven in the clod, 

And service is the pathway unto God. 

Oh, deign to shed the sympathetic 
tear. 

And lend thy soothing voice to sor- 
row's ear. 

The true Deihc touch is tenderness 

And Patience is God's manifest ca- 
ress." 

*•* ^ ^ *K ^ 2^ 

Alas I Alas ! 

The beam hath vanished from the 
drop of dew, 

Which suddenly a zephyr doth be- 
strew 

Within the hollow of a blossom's cup, 

That from the sterile earth hath 
struggled up; 

And o'er the bough whereon the crys- 
tal hung, 

64 



A new-born year hath fragrant blos- 
soms flung. 
So, ever and anon, God beautifies 
Unseen and seen and nothing ever 

dies, 
i O may some yearning heart like to 

the flow'r. 
Receive its crystal drop and wake to 

pow'r I 
If such an one find comfort in my 

view, 
I shall be glad that I have labored 

thru; 
And that my pen, dipt in a ray of 

light. 
Hath traced its prismic fancies into" 

sight. 
For we are more than evanescent 

dew; 
Our Souls retain each earned and 

added hue 
Until at last complete, Immortal, 

whole. 
We blend at-one in Father, Son and 

Soul. 

(THE END) 



65 



May it, which is the "Mist 
Flower," the Soul of Truth, or the 
Truth of the Soul now be. We, this 
morning sense that this most secret 
mystery is about to be revealed unto 
the earth forces which have reached 
their nemesis. 

It is now time for the beautiful 
sweetness of Truth to shine upon hu- 
manity. The dew clings to the flower 
with life-giving forces as the Truth 
shall refresh the heart of mankind. 

When this is called into the world, 
all forces must fall before it and yield 
to its thrilling sweetness and heed 
the sound of Truth, instead of that 
of earthly forces. We seek this ''Mist 
Flower," now, as the great epic of 
the most beautiful force of the Mas- 
ter. 

Will you now pursue the wings of 
Soul writing and bring them to carry 
this to the world? 

Your guide and strong helper here, 
urges that it is now time for this to 
bloom into light. "Mist Flower," 
soul immortal, thou shalt waken! 

Write this in your Soul: that, as 

66 



truly as we speak, so shall the work 
of your soul-hands find the light, for 
now is the time written in signs which 
are favorable to this. 

With this insistent promise, seek 
the way of an opening. Make this 
statement: That this, written some 
years ago, has been sacredly kept 
within its darkened chrysalis, through 
which the light of day might not 
shine, only the new light of Truth; 
while you awaited the voice from here 
to mark the time of telling. 

Now is the time well set in the plan 
of this (unseen) world. 

This is such a statement as should" 
preface your "Mist Flower"; says 
this one writing: Mist Flower now! 

Dante. 

May 17th, 1920. 

Thru the hand of Ruth Bronson. 



67 



Must speed this thot to you; that 
Nature is now tuned to its highest 
vibration with the forces of Truth. 

Watch for the new beauty in all 
things now. 

Useless is the effort to retard this 
surging tide now, for it is a strong 
Spiritual force that will awaken the 
world. 

Write this message from me, that 
"Mist Flower" is the waters of Truth 
in its finer mentality. Want not, the 
vision from us last was thru with this 
thot. Try to be satisfied, this work 
contains great unseen Truth which is 
now needed upon earth, so have no 
doubt as to its demand. 

Will speak more fully. 

Yours, 

Ella Wheeler-Wilcox. 

May 17th, 1920. 

Thru the hand of Ruth Bronson. 



68 



Which is the stronger to combat, 
stubborn will or ignorance in any thot 
along these lines? I say that the 
most incapable will is more worthy 
than a stubborn will. When we seek 
to be seen we find no sympathy for 
us around those wilfully disinterested. 
That is, those who have been given 
proof and do not accept without an 
exception. 

What is mostly needed is open 
minds and hearts, waiting to be shown 
the Light of new things with eager 
hope in which lies the secret of eon- 
tact with this world. 

Will, when used to oppose things 
not desirable, whether used to shut 
new senses out or all new aspirations, 
this will is stubborn will. 

Will that is without imagery or 
unable to be impressed is what we 
call "Will of Ignorance." This is 
more easily broken down than the 
other by us. 

When we seek to impart some help 
or guidance, we first must break thru 



the set barriers of the person's thot 
which appear most formidable some- 
times. 

When we have penetrated the out- 
side iixed connections, we have to 
work upon the will of that one to 
send the thot to its aperture in the 
receiving part of the brain. 

Sensitives are impressed as tho by 
the slightest breath from here, while 
those who are closed as to these things 
are, until some swift sorrow breaks 
their will, held in as tho unable to be 
moved by anything save an earth- 
quake, or some violent force of the 
physical realm. With infinite suffer- 
ing those here are driven away from 
their loved ones there, when the ones 
there are under the control of will as 
we call this force, which is very much 
in its self. 

When we see that we cannot reach 
some one whom we desire to send a 
thot to, we say that one is inclosed 
by earth-will. When those of this 
class come here, they are very weak in 
thot force, which of course is vital 
force here; which, when held in re- 

70 



straint thru the time spent on earth, 
becomes very weak and without 
working capacity. 

With no source to stimulate us 
thru life, the Soul forces become 
weakened, since they need renewing 
from the great source here, which is 
Life eternal. 

We slowly refresh the weakened 
person until the Truth lights their 
concentrated earth-thots. When these 
are broken down all is once more seen 
as it is, with the Truth shining thru 
every thot. 

We seek to open this source to men 
on earth. It may be drawn into the. 
Soul of each one if they do not close 
their forces to it. 

This is now the time for Truth to 
come from the lips of all who seek 
the Master. The words of His lips 
shall be your words if you listen to 
the voice of the vast, unseen host 
which hovers over the earth with 
wide-spread wings of protecting thots 
and great Love and understanding, if 
mankind will only surrender to the 
sweet voices of persuasion that speak 

71 



the words of Truth with great power 
and beauty. 

Maude Wellings-Bronson. 

April 21, 1920, L. A. 

Thru the hand of Ruth Bronson. 



72 



LBA 



p2: 



I append these very apparently pri- 
vate communications from dear ones 
beyond, only to assure my mun- 
dane friends that the loving interest 
and helpfulness of old association 
never ceases beyond the veil, and 
that the worlds are actually one to 
those who will it so. 

The Author. 



73 



